Man United thrash Stoke 3-0, reduce City’s lead to 12 points
MANCHESTER: With Alexis Sanchez potentially on his way to Manchester United, two members of the current forward line issued reminders of their goal-scoring talents on Monday. Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku, whose places in the team would be threatened by the arrival of Sanchez, both netted in United’s 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Stoke in the English Premier League.
Martial’s goal, in particular, stood out. The winger curled a firsttime shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Antonio Valencia had put United ahead in the ninth with a fierce left-footed shot into the top corner.
United capitalised on Manchester City’s first loss in the league -- at Liverpool on Sunday -- to reduce the gap to the leader to 12 points with 15 games remaining. Reeling in City is highly improbable at this stage but United, who are alone in second place, are in the best position to do so. Especially having jumped above City in the race to sign Sanchez. City ended their interest in the Chile forward on Monday, leaving United as the favourites to sign a player who appears keen to move from Arsenal in the January transfer window. Chelsea might also have entered the race to sign Sanchez.
“If he moves, I think we have a chance,” Mourinho said. “Most probably, a player like him, he probably has other big clubs who are interested.”
Former Norwich and Aston Villa coach Paul Lambert was hired as Stoke manager hours before kickoff, as a replacement for the fired Mark Hughes, and was in the stands at Old Trafford to see the size of the task awaiting him.
United goalkeeper David De Gea was needed to pull off good saves from Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Biram Diouf, but it was comfortable for United on an evening of occasional hailstorms in northwest England.
Stoke, who have been in the top flight since 2008, are in third-tolast place after 23 games.